Refrigerator unit



Dec. 14, 1943. c. s JoHNsToN REFRIGERATR UNIT Filed AJune ll, 1941 LLI ` Dec. 14, 1943. c. s. JOHNSTON REFRIGERATOR UNIT Filed June ll, 1941 lO Sheets-Sheet 2 WW r. y w@ ww XN @i ,.W.....w ww..1HVMEVMQ WNW NNvN NWN QWUNQN NIN N Q QM Wlwhnwnvlnlww. WWWWWWNIM |m l N NNN f qu www, osm @Mv NN\\ www if. ARN H NNN Q N %hv\x l| N w m QWN bww, Q%\1 RIWN. V,H T L m|| l w Nw f nl NMN Nw N :-1|-|L1|| WN muhrllinrlnw @n l 1 mu W NW@ 4 ma# R H H Dec. 14, 194"E c. s. JOHNSTON REFRIGERATOR UNIT Filed June l1,` 1941 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 HMIH rf fr tlm,

'film Dafa. 14, 1943., s. JoHNsToN 2,336,687

REFRIGERATOR UNIT 'Filed June 11, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dee. 14, 1943. c. s. JoHNs'roN l 2,336,687

REFRIGERATOR UNIT Filed June 11V, 1941 1o sheets-sheet 5 Dec. 14, 1943. c. s. JOHNSTON REFRIGERATOR UNIT l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 14, 1943. c.- s. JOHNSTON REFRIGERATOR UNIT Filed JuneV 11, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 m :il 313 IHM.

Dec. 14, 1943. c. s. JOHNSTON 2,336,687

REFRIGERATOR UNIT Filed June 11, 1941 v 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 gee., '14, E943. c. s. QHNSTQN i 2,335,68?

'HEFRIGEBATQR UN' Filed June ll, 1941 lQlSheetS-Sheeh '9 ABLE COPY (N11 Ibllwlllllw ..1 i

Patented Dec 14, 1943 REFRIGERATOR 'UNET Charles S.A Johnston, Glencoe, Ill., assigner to Transportation Specialties Company, Chicago, Ill., arcorporation of Illinois application :une 11, 1941, serai No. 391,557

(ci. 22o- 9) 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to refrigerator units, and is particularly concerned with refrigerator units of a portable type adapted to be used for less than carload shipments of perishable commodities in ordinary freight cars, l

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved portable refrigerator unit which is of convenient size, adapted to utilize the space in an ordinary freight car to the greatest advantage, and which is adapted to be moved about with facility so that it can be moved into the freight car or removed therefrom with its load of perishable merchandise intact.

One of the objects of the invention is the-provision of an improved refrigerator, having means for facilitating its movement into such a position in a railway freight car that a multiplicity of the refrigerators may be so arranged in the car as to utilize the space most effectively.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved refrigerator for less than carload shipments of perishable products, which is adapted to be handled as a unit so that it may be placed in a railway freight car as such, and it may be removed from the car by means of its associated equipment, and delivered as a unit with its perishable products intact and in good condition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved supporting structure for refrigerators of the class described, by means of which the refrigerator is adapted to be held in relatively fixed position in the car by virtue of its weight and the engagement of its lower structure with the floor of the car and by means of which the refrigerator is adapted to be loaded or unloaded as a unit without necessity for using other Wheeled vehicles.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved refrigerator of the class described, comprising an external metal shell for housing all of the framework, and an internal metal shell forming a lining for the unit, in which the arrangements are such that 'these i shells are insulated from each other in such of iioor racksso arranged` that they may beV moved upward against the sides oi the internal walls of the refrigerator and secured in vertical position.

Another object of the invention is the'provision of an improved refrigerator unit of the class described which is provided with an improved form of meat rail whereby sections of meat may be suspended in the refrigerator unit after the ant being housed in an insulated container having such a limited area of contact with the air of the refrigerator chamber that the refrigerant may be utilized to keep the refrigerator cool over a relatively long period of time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved door structure. which is also so constructed that it transmits a minimum amount of heat and so that the cool air in the refrigerator chamber is tightly sealed therein to prevent the ingress of heat by passage of air when the door is closed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved refrigerator unit which is sturdy so that it is adapted to withstand the strains to which it is subjected by the starting and stopping and the pushing and bumping of freight cars, which is adapted to be manufacturedmost economically so that the shipment of less than carload lots of perishable products may be brought within the means of a larger number of shippers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are A ten sheets,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the refrigerator unit constructed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the structure of the frame and door and showing the floor racks in plan;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing details of structure of the walls, floor rack, and frame;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line -6 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the details of structure of the walls and door of the unit;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, showing the structure of the walls and door;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the structure of the refrigerant chamber;

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line |0|0 of Fig. 8looking in the direction of the arrows., showing the structure of the refrigerant container;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line I of Fig. 8, showing i the front elevational viewaof the refrigerant container;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line` |2--I2 of Fig. ,9, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the mode of support of the refrigerant container on the frame of the refrigerator unit:

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the hoor rackin the refrigerator unit;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the floor rack, showing the rack hinge;

Fig..-l5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the floor rack hinge taken on the plane of the line passingv through the axis of the pintle;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the hinge bracket carried by its supporting channel;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevationalview, partially broken away to show sections of the channelled frame members on the insidevof the inner shell, which areutilized for supporting the refrigerant container and meat rail, without these members having metal-to-metal contact with the exterior shell, and without piercing the inner shell;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary top plan View of the channels shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken from the right -of the channel in Fig. l'l;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary elevational view of the upper part of 'a floor rack and the latching means for securing it in vertical position;

I Fig. 21 is afragmentary plan view of rack and its latch, as shown in Fig.'v 20;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken through the floor rack, showing the latch in side elevation;

Fig. 23'is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 23--23 of Fig. 3, showing details of construction of the meat rack and its support;

Fig. 24 is a rear view of the door frame, with the rear cover plateremoved;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear cover plate for the door;

Fig. 26 is a side elevational view, in partial section, of the rear cover plate for the door;

Fig. 2'1 is a fragmentary sectional lview of the assembled door structure;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 28-28 of Fig. 5, showing the connection of one of the posts of the frame tothe bottom framework;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary plan view, taken on the plane of the line 28--29 of Fig. 5, looking the floor in the direction of the arrows, snowing the conassaesr nection of the posts of the frame to the top frame members.

The present application is directed particularly to the structure of the improved refrigerator unit. The jack structure, by means of which the refrigerator unit is lifted from its front legs and placed on wheels, so that it may be moved about, is covered by my co-pending application, Ser. No. 392,513, led May 8, 1941, entitled Refrigerators, Case 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, |20 indicates one of a plurality of refrigerator units which are preferably made oi' such size that a given number of the units will substantially flll a railway freight car of standard size. For example, in my co-pending application, above referred to, there is illustrated an assembly of such units in a freight car of standard size, showing that four refrigerator units may be placed in 'each end, and another one in the middle of the car.

I desire it to be understood, however, that the units may be made in various different sizes, the dimensions being preferably suited to some one of a number of different arrangements inside the freight car.'

For example, the refrigerator units illustrated herein are preferably of such width that two of them arranged side by side will use substantially all of the space in one end of the car, with some clearance between each of the units and the walls and between the two units themselves.

The refrigerator umts are preferably made longer than they are wide, `and the height is preferably sufficient to permit the hanging of meat, such as quarters of beef, etc., from a rack carried in the top of the unit.

' The refrigerator unit preferably comprisesv a -pair of complete and separate metal shells, one

on the inside, and the other on the outside, separated and insulated by layers of rigid insulation, under compressiomso thaty there is no metal-tometal contact between the inner and outer metal layers, and the interior of the unit is wellinsulated. l 1

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the refrigerator unit. which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral |20, constructed according to the invention, preferably comprises the separate inner and outer shells, each of which lis indicated in its entirety by the numerals |2|, |22.-

Both of these shells are preferably made of suitable metal, such as steel, and the outer shell is carried by a frame, which is also preferably made of steel. a

Eachy unit isvprovided with a front door opening |30, closed byvadoor |3| of similar construction to the walls, that is, comprising two complete and separate metal shells, separated and insulated by layers of rigid insulation under compression so that there is no metal-to-metal contact between the inner and outer metal layers of the door.

The door |3| is preferably supported on the frame of the unit by means of suitable hinges, such as the strap hinges |33, which have one plate |23 secured to the frame of the door and the strap |24 secured to the door.

'I'he plate |23 is provided with a pair of spacedl i 'Ihe plates of the hinge |33 may be secured to the door and to the door frame by spot welding at suitably spaced points, as indicated by the marks on Fig. 2.

The doors are preferably adapted to be held in closed position, with the gaskets (further to be described) compressed by means of one or more locks, indicated in their entirety by the numeral |32. Each lock may consist of a cast metal tting |34, upon which there is pivotally mounted a hand lever |35, having an eccentrically mounted pin |36. v

The pin |36 is adapted to engage behind the upwardly extending keeper flange |31 of a cast metal keeper `member |38, and is located in such manner that the door is forced tightly into the door opening when the handle is pushed downward to the position of Fig. 2.

An upward movement on the handle |35 pivots the pin |36 in such manner as to relieve pressure and then lift the pin |36 from behind the keeper flange |31 so that the door may open.

'I'he supporting framework of the refrigerator unit preferably comprises four inwardly open channel members 34, 35, 36, and 31, arranged in a rectangle, with their flanges extending inwardly.

The ends of the long side frame members 34, 35

abut against the upper and lower flanges of the shorter end frame members 36, 31. -In order to provide a maximum strength, sufficient of the upper and lower flanges of the long members 34 and 35 are cut away at each end so that the web of these frame members 34 and 35 extends far enough to close the ends of the channels 36 and `31. rThus a tongue |40 is provided at each end of the web of the side frame members 34,35, which fits between the flanges of the endframe members 36 and 31 so that these frame members are tted together at the corners. They are preferably welded together at the attaching flanges, the webs, and the lower flanges. K

In some embodiments of the inventionv the tongue of metal |40, formed in the web of these frame members, may comprise a simple member Yof rectangular shape adapted to abut against the other web, but not having a fit against the tapered upper and lower flanges of the frame members 36 and 31 between which the tongue is located. Adequate strength is. secured by merely Welding the abutting flanges, and labor saved by not fitting this tongue as indicated at the lower left corner of Fig. 1 in such cases.

Referring to Fig. 2, the two end frame members 36 and 31 are preferably joined by a pair of longitudinally extending channelled members 54 and 55 adapted to serve as the guides for slidably supporting a jack unit, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 52.

The channelled members 54, 55 are preferably of the same width as the channelled members 34-31, forming the outer frame. These channelled members are also preferably secured to vthe end frame members 36, 31 in the same way under the refrigerator unit, as described in .my

prior application, mentioned above.

The jack unit'52 preferably comprises a slider 58, consisting of the upper and lower plates 66, 10, and 6| (Fig. l), suitably secured together by spacers and bolts, with a clearance so that the y the edges of the channel.

entire jack unit rests on the guides when the weight is placed upon the wheels of the jack.

The jack is mounted on a wheel frame 11, the upper plate of which is vpivotally mounted on the slider, and the two depending plates 84, pivotally support a pair of links |09, which carry the wheel shaft 89.

The wheel shaft 89 carries a pair of ball bearing wheels 59, 60, and a handle 53 is also mounted on the wheel shaft 89 by means of an enlarged aperture so that it may be shifted to two different positions. In one position of the handle 53 on the wheel shaft 89 a recessed shoulder `|2111. engages the stub shaft |06 carried by the depending flanges 84, 85, and in the other position thisfhanwheels 59, 60 supporting the weight of the refrigerator. The lower frame includes a stop member 83, depending from the channel members 54, 55'in .such manner that the slider 58 can be s lid past the stop 83 when the jack unit 52 depends from the guides 54, 55. However, when the wheels 59, 60 support the load lof the refrigerator unit Aand the plate 6| is pushed upward against the channels 54, 55, the slider 58 will engage the stop 83 and the jack unit is held against sliding movement while the wheels are supporting the weight. All the details of such a jack unit have been fully described and covered by my prior application, above-mentioned, which is herebyv incorporated by reference thereto.

Theframe, comprising themembers 36, 3l, and 54, 55, may have secured toit a pair of channelled members 38 for supporting wheels. Each of these channelled members has its ends abutof dependingbearing flanges 44.

These flanges have apertures for passing the pintle 46, which supports the roller bearing wheels 41, the pintle being riveted over at each end.

` In the embodiment illustrated, four rear wheels and rear frames are employed, symmetrically located on opposite sides of the middle of the unit, adjacent the rear end. At its forward corners vthe lower frame is preferably supported bymeans of a pair of legs 48, 49, and each leg comprises apair of tapered flanges 50, 5| at right angles to each other and tapering toward-the bottom of the leg. i

At their'upper ends the leg flanges 50, 5| flatly engage the exterior surface ofL the webs of the lower framevmembers 34, 36 and 35, 36, to 'which they are welded along the edges of the leg,.and

At their lower ends the leg flanges 50, 5| preferably joined by a triangular foot flange 5|A, which engages the'oor land which is welded or are otherwise secured to both leg flanges. The legs 48. 48 are adapted to support the refrigerator unit when it has been moved to the desired place in the freight car. Then the weight of the vunit is removed from the jack by stepping on the foot latch 83, and the jack unit is slid back under the refrigerator, with its handle, by means of the slider 58 on the guides 54, 55. Thus the jack unit cannot be lost; and although it is necessary to provide one for each refrigerator, it Acan be stored in such manner that it will not interfere in any waywith the placing of the refrigerator units very close together in the freight car.

One of the legs 48 or 49 preferably has welded to it a handle supporting hook 48A, comprising a piece of sheet metal formed with an upwardly extending lug at one end. Thus, when the depending Jack unit has been slid backward under the refrigerator, the handle may be pivoted sidewise on the slider 58 and supported on the hook 48A.

The hook 48A is kpreferably provided with an having the lower edges of the inner shell |2| in a manner further to be described.

At their lower ends the corner posts |42, |44. |48, |48 are secured as `previously described by all flanges welded to the bottom floor. plate, which in turn is carried by the lower frame.

At their upper ends these corner posts are secured to` an` upper rectangular frame. This upper rectangular frame preferably consists of the front door. header |5| (Fig. 7), the end top angle |52, anda pair of similar side top angles |53 (Fig. 5). The end topangle, and the .two side top angles may lconsist of simply metal angles,

having straight ends, and each'having a hbrizon` tal flange |55 and a vertical vflange |58.

Theslde and end frames of the unit preferably 1 also include a plurality of side and end posts.

offset at 48B so that the hook portion is located behind the leg flange '5I sufficiently so that the entire handle may be located under the frame, including a cross bar at the end of the handle. The outer shell |22 of the refrigerator unit is preferably carried by a vertically extending framework, which includes vertically extending frame members on all of the four sides of the unit. These vertically extending frame members are secured at the bottom to the frame members 34--31, just described, and at the top to another rectangular frame.

The frame, comprising the channelled members 34-31, and 54, 55 (the lower frame) isfirst covered with a rectangular sheet of metal ;|-4|, which forms the bottom of the external `metal shell |22. This sheet |4| is welded to the channeiled members 34-31 at their upper outer corners, the sheet 4| being of a size to have its edges flush with vthe outside of 'the web of vthe channelled frame member.

The side and end frames and corner posts may then al1 be supported upon the lower `floor sheet |4|, to which they may be weldedialong the lower ends of their flanges. Forgexample, at Fig, 6 the two corners of the unit maybe provided with a pair of corner posts |42, |43.

These corner posts are preferably in the form of angles, having a pair of relatively wide flanges |44, |45 at right angles to each other and a pair of oppositely turned narrow supporting flanges |45, |41 at right angles to the flanges |44, l|45.

The width of the flanges |44, |45 is substantially equal to the thickness of the .sheets of rigid block insulation which are used to insulate the inner shell from the outer shell. The space between the inner and outer shells is substantially equal to twice the thickness of these `blocks of insulation so that two layers of the rigid insulation may be used.

I desire it to be understood, however, that these proportions may be varied, depending on the amount of insulation it is ydesired to employ and on the thermal value of the insulation. At vthe front end of the unit there are a pair of corner posts |48, |49. These corner posts are of the same shape on each side, and they differ only slightly from the rear corner posts 42, |43.

They both embody the wide flanges |44, |45 and the narrow flange |41, but the other flange |50, forming a part of a door frame, is wider, as shown in Fig. 6, and adapted to be insulated from These may consist of Z bars, and the number of Z barsy employed as side or end .posts will depend upon the width of the side or end of the unit.

For example/in `the embodiment illustrated-one end post is employed, and indicatedat |51 (Fig. 3 or Fig. 4). Two side posts areemployedv at each side of the box,as indicated at |58 and |59 (Fig.

-4 andvFlg. 6).

Each of these side and kend posts are of the same size andfshape, and they may comprise Z bars, having a web |80 and a pair of flanges |8|, |62 extending opposltely and at right angles to `the web |60. :The distance between the inner faces ofthe flanges |8|, |82 is substantially equal to the thickness of the rigid insulation layer included between these flanges, as shown in Fig. 6.

This brings the exterior surface of the flanges |41 and 16| all in the same piane.

Referring again to the top frame. all of the vertically extending frame members, such as the corner posts |42, |43, |48, and |48 of the side and lend posts |58. |59, .outer flanges |41 and |51, preferably have their IBI out away at the top by an amount sufficient to provide space for the vertical flange |5601 the topangles.

Thus the lower edge of the ange |56 of the top angles abuts against the upper edge of the `outer flanges |41, 5| when the horizontal flange |55 of the upper angles lies on vtop of the end of "I'his permits the outer surface of the top angles, that is, the outer surface of flange |58, to be flush with the flanges |41, |5| so that side plates may be secured to all of these flanges. The side |53, |54 and the top angle are of sumcient length that their upper flanges |55 overlie the flanges |45 on the rear post |43 or |42 and the flange |44 on the yfront post |48 Aor |48, to which they are welded. l

In the same way the rear top angle |52 has its top flange overlying the flange |44 on the corner post |43 and |42. The top angles and each of their flanges welded to it, adjacent flanges of the corner posts |42, |43, |48, and |49 thus provide a rigid box-like frame for the outer shell.

The top angles are also welded to the side posts |58, |59 and end post I 51 at both anges, these members being shaped so that there is contacting engagement between horizontal and vertical flanges of the top angles, with the adjacent flanges of the side and end posts.

The external shell of the unit is completed by welding the metal side sheets |63, |64 to the flanges |41 and |6| of the side posts and corner posts.

The end sheet |65 is welded to the flanges |8| may also be welded to the bottom and |46 of the corner posts and end post. All of these three sheets ISS- 55 comprise rectangular metal plates 'and they are of suncient size 'to cover the flanges |41 of the `corner posts on each side and the flanges |46 of the corner post at the end.

In a vertical direction thesideand end sheets are of sufficient length to overlap the bottom oor plate |4| and a portion of the web of the bottom frame members Sil-31, as seen at |05 (Fig. 5)

Thus the lower edge of the side sheets 63, |64 may be welded to the lower frame members 34 and 35. At their upper edges these side sheets |63, |64 preferably terminate flush withthe top angles |52, |53, |54. The rear sheet |65 may likewise be welded to the rear'frame member 31, as

shown in Fig. 7; and if desired, it may be bent at right angles at |61 so that the top sheet |68` may consist of a continuation of the rear sheet |55.

The top sheet |68 is Wide enough to cover the top flanges of the top side angles |53, |54, and it extends forwardly until it lcovers the flange |69 of the door header |5l. This sheet is also welded to all of the frame members which it engages.

The front header I5 comprises a special channelled member having a vertical web |10, a top flange |69 at right angles thereto, a lower horizontal flange |1|, and a dependingdoor frame flange |12; Like the top angles |52|54, this front header has its top flange |69 ofA sufficient length to rest on the upper edges of the vertically extending flanges |45 of the front corner posts 40 to which the top flange is Welded.

The vertically extending corner post angesl 50 of the'front corner` posts |48, |49 are preferably mltered so that they t together in forming a door frame, and the horizontal flanges |12 of the door header 5| and the door sill |13 (Fig. 7) are also mitered to fit against the mitered edges of flanges |50 of the front corner posts.

The door sill |13 may comprise a form of Z bar, having a` relatively narrow web |14, an up` wardly extending flange |12, and a downwardly extending flange |15. The downwardly extending flange |15 overlies the front lower frame member` 36, and is welded thereto. The upwardly extending flange |12 is adapted to be secured to the inner shell, from which it is insulated in a method further to be described.

It should be noted that the flanges |72 are shorter than the thickness of the rigid insulation layer used adjacent thereto so as to prevent contact between the inner shell and the outer shell of metal.

The floor and ceiling of the outer shell arepreferably reinforced and insulated in exactly the same way as the sides. The floor may be provided with a plurality of transversely extending bottom cross members |16 and the ceiling by a plurality of transverselyextending top cross members H1, These cross members are also substantially Z shaped and are similar tothe side posts and end post. Sufllcient of the top flange |18 of the top cross members |11 is cut away at each end to accommodate the top flange |55 of the top side angles |53, I'E (Fig. 5).

In the `same way a part of the lower flange |19 of the-bottom cross members |`|S ls cut away to accommodate the vertically extending web |50 of the side posts |58, |59.

Thus theiloor crossmeinbers are so shaped that their adjacent flanges t against the adjacent flanges of the side posts to which they are welded. The lower and upper flanges |19,.l18

' a double air-tight seal between the door Aand the header, and sill.

and top sheets Ml, |58. The inner shell or lining, lindicated in its entirety, by ended rectangularbox'of metal, having outwardly projecting flanges at its open end.1 s

Its bottom may', be formedby a metal-sheet |80, havingla Adownwardly turned flange iai at its'fo'rward end, upwardly extending flanges it at each side, and an upwardly extending flange |83 at its rear edge.

The sides |84, |85 of the inner liningA |2| may be formed of a Ililla at its front edge.

The depth of the top, side'fand bottom sheets from front to `back is such that when the inand.v |85 of. the .,i'hne'r-' lining and the flanges |12 and |50 of the corner-p ists, y This-"space is .lled iby ali-Tine sulating breaker strip of one-fourth inch indur'atediberrv p :ff

The flanges |50 of the frontv corner .posts-j and the flanges |12 of the 'door,header and s illrriay be provided with threaded apertures :for receiv lng the screw boitslsz, which are 'adapted tfbe engaged byV a screwdriver. Selftappingscrew bolts may be used. These and |8| of the inner lining and are insulated from the flanges |06 and |8|:byfiber-stripsflb. Thus there is no metal-to-metal contact bea tween the inner lining and any partei 'the outer metal frame, either through the metal frame members no1` lining sheets vnor thebolts.

The flanges |85 and iti of the liningare fas tened together by providing an extra rectangui around its entire boundaryl This facing flange is preferably provided with a, door gaske-tflit.

selftapping screw boltsA l|072 which pass through it and the flange.- l-BE, "andare' threadedinto the flanges |50.

The .gasket |94 may be 0f thetype compris`A ine,r a pair of substantially .circular-soft rubber members |95, |96 joined by a layer of reinforced fabric which is clamped beneath 'the"'gasket 'retaining strap |93. In addition to this the 'gasket may be cemented to the flange "|05, and the size of its parts |95, las is such that 'they are com. pressed when the dooris' closed, thus"'providing-- f'oor frame o nall sides".v ,Y It should be understood that the gasket i9@ extends all the way around the door frame; and

one at. the center of the door and one at the top, and oneat the bottom, the latter two being located at proper position to be engaged by the straps of the-hinges. Thus 'the narrow frame is reinforced and the hinges have amore rm en gagement with the door traine.`

The iiange 2550i the door :trame 2l i is eov= eredby insulating strips of indurated :liber 223, 226; and 225 on all of the of the frame.

These strips serve to insulate the back panel 226 of the door from the front of the door. The back panel 226 of the door comprises a tapered metal box, having a flat body portion 221 and the at side portions 228, 229, 239, and 231. These side portions 228-23i extend at an obtuse angle to the body portion 221 of the backpanel 226 such that they t against the outer surfaces of the ber strips 222-225.

The adjacent edges of the sides 228-23l are welded together, and the sides 228-23l are provided with a multiplicity of regularly spaced enlarged apertures for passing the self tapping screw bolts 232.

These screw bolts may have their heads insulated from the side flanges 22i3-23l by insulating washers 233, and the bolts pass through the liber strips 224, and are threaded into the angles 2H), 212, 213, 212. The space between the rear panel 226 and the front plate i3! of the cover is also filled with blocks of cork suitably shaped to ll substantially the entire space in the door.

4Thus it will be observedthat the rear panel 0f the door is heat insulated from the front panel, and in no case need there be any metal-to-metal contact between the inner shell of the refrigerator and the outer shell.

YThe inner shell i2 is preferably provided With an inner framework, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 2125 (Fig. 2) for the purpose of supporting arefrigerant compartment 2M, a meat rack 242, and a licor grating 263.

This framework m comprises a plurality of channelled-inembers, such as, for example, the three upwardly extendingv channelled members 242J 245, 2:36, indicated in Fig. 1, on one side of the unit, and a similar set of channelled members 255112222 on the other side. Each of these channelled members comprises a web 25D (Fig. e) and a pair of outwardly extending side anges The side channelled members are arranged in pairs opposite each other, and at the top they four outer sides are joined by the top channelled members 253,

25d, 255, to which they are welded at the points where the web and side anges abut the web of the top channelled members 253-255. i

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that space must be provided at the top for the inwardly turned attaching iiange il or the side plate 'i813 ofthe inner shell 12S. Therefore, the top channelled members are relieved or cut away at 256 at each end of their side iianges to provide this space. in the same way- .the side channelled members all have their side flanges cutaway as at 25? lFig. 5) to provide space for the upwardly extending iiange of the bottom plate H80 of the inner shell In order to provide a `firm bearing for the lower ends ofthe4 side channels 26d- 229, each of these channelied members is' welded at its lower end to bearing plate comprising a rectangular metal plate adapted to bear on the floor 62 of the inner chamber.

The bearing plates of the side channels asados?,

project forwardly of the inner chamber, and are support for vthe hinge butt mit, are, rai, and 2te side chan'nelsinto the adapted to provide a 259, which supports the licor racks 243.

Referring to Fig. 15, it will be noted that each hinge includes two. suchhinge butts. 259 located on opposite sides of the other hinge plate 26d.

The bearing plates 258 are welded to the bottom plate 180, and the hinge butts are welded to the bearin plates and .to the channelled members 244, 246 247, 249. Each hinge plate comprises a vertically extending attaching ange 266, which is bent over into an oval portion 26! at the top. This oval portion hasan aperture 262 for receiving the hinge pintle 263.'

The hinge pintle 263 (Fig. v15) comprises a stub shaft, having apertures at its ends for receiving cotter pins, which retain it in its .proper place. l

The hinge pintle rotatablysupports another hinge .plate 264,` having .a dat attaching ange 265 and a cylindrical portion surrounding the pintle 263. This hinge plate 2644s iixedly se cured by welding to one ofthe stringers 266 of the floor rack 243. f.

The iioor racks are preferably arranged in a pair of sections, each section covering one-half the door, and the sectionsmay be separately in dicated as sections 26T, ,268.,

Each section is pivotally mounted at its outer edge to the side wall by means .of the channelled frame 240, andthe hinges just described and shown in Fig. 15 being used for each section. As both sections are identical in construction, only one need be described in detail. f

Referring to Fig. 5, each iioor rack prefer ably comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending stringers 265, 269, 276. The Stringer 269 may be an angle, having a vertically extending flange 2li and a horizontally extending foot iiange 212. The stringers 266 and 2li) at the edges of the iioor rack preferably comprize Z bars, each of which has a horizontal top ange 213, a web 214, and a bearing iiange The Z bars have their foot anges extending inwardlyl and their top flanges extending outu Wardly. The 'stringere 266, 266 and 210 are all preferably provided with rectangular notches 216 (Fig. 13) at regularly spaced intervals, for receiving the c ross channels 27T.

These cross channels are placed in the notches 215 of the stringers and welded in place, with the Vupper ange of each channelush with the top of the Stringer. The welding is done along the web and along the lower'iiange of each channel. This provides a rectangular framework having regularly spaced transverse points of support for a foraminous covering 278, which may consist orf a sheet of 'expanded metal which has been dat-` tened untilall of its parts are in substantially the same plane. f.

In addition to this the expanded metal, which is shown in full size in Fig. 20, preferably has beveled surfaces 278, 279, on each side of each of its frame portions- 280. The expanded metal has diamond-shaped apertures 2M, and by virtue oi the beveled edges2l8, 219, it is.l adapted to 'permit the sliding of commodities over its 'upper plane surface 282,*without possibility of tearing or cutting.

rlhe expanded metal covering 228 is of sub-- stantially rectangular form, and it extends over the edges of .each-of thelanges'2i3 of the Zi bars 2l!! and 266, and is folded back. on the 'under Side of each of these flanges, as indicated u at 283-(Fig. This provides a rounded edge portion which is adapted to engage the commoditles that are placed onthe rack, without any possibility of cutting 'or tearing.

-The foraminous covering 218 is-preferably welded to the framework comprising the chany nels .211 and girders 266, 269, 210 at a multiplicity of spaced points, preferably at the intersections, so that it is firmly secured to the framawork, -and a very stiiy and strung floor rack is thus provided. v A

' 'At each end of the rack the channelled members 211 are purposely placed with their flanges extending inwardly so' as to provide a nished edge, and the expanded metal covering termi hates ilush with the outer surface'oi the web of the outermost channels 211.

At the center stringers 21|) there is provided .a keeper 284 (Fig. 5) .fora latching member 285 (Fig. '22) carried bythe adjacent channelled frame member 2 45 or 248. This keeper comprises a flat strip of metal, having-one flange weldedto the web 214 o1' Z bar 210, and having another flange 286 extending downwardly and diagonally in Fig. v5.

The latch 285 comprises'a strap of sheet metal provided at one. end with a cylindrical portion 281. the yoke 288 of a U-shaped stirrup 289. The

l' two legs" 290l of this vU-shaped stirrup extend through apertures in the side anges of the channelled members 24.5 or 248, andthe ends of the legs are welded to the side ange at 29|. Thus the U-shaped stirrup 289. provides a pintle for supporting latch 285.

The main body of the latch 285 extends vertically and inwardly of the car, although it may be pivoted over againstl the side plate. When it is `used in latching position,` it extends in the direction shown'in. Figs. 21 and 22.

282, having a diagonal surface 293 for engaging the keeper 284. The hook 292 is far enoughfrom the wall so that when the rack is pushed up tightly against the wall the hook may slide upward `on the yoke 2 88 of the stirrup 289 to disengage itself-from the keeper. When vthe hook is not used, it may be pivoted over between the channelled members of the inner frame 240.

By virtue ofthe oval opening 282 in the hinge butts 259 the floor racks may be pushed over more tightly against the side walls and more of the space may be used than could otherwise be used. Thus theoor' racks may bemoved' downward into engagement with the door, as shown in Fig. 4, or they may be hooked in the uppermost position, as shown in fragmentary view in Fig.22.

vOne side of the refrigerator is preferably reserved for the meat 'rack 2.4.2.. Thisrack comprises a rectangular barl 294 -of wood, slightly This cylindrical portion is mounted uponthe cylindrical portion 28.1 of

taching Iianges may-be welded to the web of the top channels 253255 (Fig. l). Thus the meat rack-is permanently supported inside the refrig- -erator compartment by the internal framework 240, which it also serves to reinforce.

In addition to lthe meat rack, the internal :framework 240 supports the container for the revided with similar apertures in their webs, as

shown at Fig. l1, and indicated by the same numeral 302. These apertures 302 have their larger portions extending toward the right.

The ice bunker 24| may thus be supported in place by a plurality of angular metal brackets 305, one bracket being located at each of the side channels 241, 248, 249 of the inner framework 240. Each of these brackets is'the same in con- .struction as shown in Fig. 10, and each has an upwardly extendingstrap portion 306 of s'ul.- cient height to embrace a side of the ice bunker. Each has a horizontally extending portion 301 of sufficient length to extend under the ice bunker to the opposite wall.- V

The portions 306, 301 of the bracket v305 each terminate in va. laterally turned foot 308, which has an outwardly turned edge portion 309. This edge portion is rendered necessary by the specific At its outer-end'it -is provided .with -a hook structure of the special bolts which are employed for securing the brackets to the inner framework. These bolts have a head 3 and a short shank portion 3|3, which is located between the lhead and thel annular flange `3|2.

The head 3| 0 is adapted to be passed by the large circular portion 302 of the aperture in the channelled members, and the bolt is then adapted to be slid sidewise, with its short shank por' tion 3|3 inthe smaller aperture 304. Then the channelled member is confined in the head 3||,

and the annular ilange 3|2 of the bolt is ilxedly secured to the channelled member so'long as it is kept in the slot 304.

The length of the legs 306, 301 of the brackets 305 is such that the attaching flanges 308 of these Vbrackets has its aperture in registry with the bolt 3|0 when the short shank 3|3 is in the -slot 304. Thus the `brackets retain the bolts in the proper securing position in the apertures 302 of the channels.

A plurality of the brackets 305 are preferably provided so that there is a bracket located at each of the vertically extending side channels shorter than the iront -to-b'ack length of the compartment.'

It is supported` by a plurality ofV U-shaped' stirrups or brackets 295, "three in number, as will 'be seen from Fig. 1. 'Each of'these stirrups.

has a yoke295 and a pair of upwardly extending legs 291, 2 90, between which the wooden bar 294 fits. Athrough bolt 299 passes through the legs .291, 298 andthe wooden bar 2 94 tosecure it in place, and is provided 'with a suitable nut.`

Each of thelegs 291, 298 has laterally extending attaching ilanges3l00, 30|.'and theattirety by the numeral 24|.

.241, 248, and 249, and the upper end'of`each bracket is secured to the horizontal channels 244, 245, and 248.

The brackets v305 are adapted to support a container for refrigerant, indicated in its enpreferably a separate unit, having ts outer metallicshell 3 I 5 and inner metallic shell 3|6'insulated from: each other so that there is no metal-tometal contact.

For example, the inner shell may comprise a pair of side shell members 3|1, 3|8, a top member 3|9 (Fig. 10), and a rear wall 320 (Fig. 8); The top wall 3|9` of the inner shell 3|6 vcomprises a This container is 'ient fastening means.

rectangular sheet of metal, having a pair of depending attaching flanges 32|, one on each side, at right angles to the main body of the top wall. These attaching flanges 32| of the top wall 3|9 serve to attach this wall to the side walls 3 318 (as indicated in Fig. by welding or other convenient fastening means.

The side walls 3 H, 3 I8 may be identical in construction, each preferably consisting of -a rectan- `gular piece of metal, having at its lower edge a laterally turned face flange 322. 'Ihis face flange is of less width than the thickness of the insulation layer 323, in order that the inner shell may not have metal-to-metal Contact with the outer shell,

The facing flange 322 at each side is secured to a wooden frame and insulation member 324 by means of the wood screws 325, which pass through this flangednto the wood.

At its rear edge (Fig. 8) each of the side walls 3H, 3|6 of the inner shell has a laterally extending attaching flange 326. This flange is secured to the rear wall 320 by welding or other conven- The rear wall 320 also comprises a rectangular sheet of metal of sufficient size to close the rear end of the inner shell, and it has at its lower edge an attaching flange 321 extending horizontally and secured to the bottom wall 328 by welding. The bottom wall 328 Vmay consist of a rectangular sheet of metal, but in this case the bottom wall is not insulated, and the inner shell is adapted to come into contact with the air in the interior of the refrigerator unit.

Thus the bottom wall 328 may comprise a .simple rectangular sheet of metal of sufficient area to close the bottom and to extend over each of the facing flanges 322, as shown in Fig. 10. to which it may be secured by the same wood screws 325. Metal-to-metal contact between this bottom wall 328 and the rest of the inner shell ls intentionally brought about in order that the bottom wall may provide a heat absorption surface for absorbing heat from the air inside the refrigerator unit to effect a cooling of the air and the merchandise in the unit.

At its front edge this bottom wall may be provided with a downwardly turned face flange 329, which is in the same plane as the face of the door frame. An angle 330 is located inside the refrigerant chamber 24| and welded to the floor 32B before galvanizing for the purpose of keeping the blocks of carbon dioxide in the chamber when ille door is open. v

The angle 330 has a very narrow upwardly extending flange 33| amounting to no more than the clearance between the blocks and the walls of the inner chamber so that the lblocks can be inscrted over the angle 330.

The outer shell 3|5 preferably consists of the side walls 332, 333, top wall 334 (Fig. 10) and rear wall 335 (Fig. 8). The side walls 332, 333 of the outer shell 3|5 may be similar in constructien. each consists of a rectangular plate of sheet metal of sufficient size to enclose the inner shell and the layer of insulation 323.

Each side wall 332 or 333 preferably has an outwardly turned attaching flange 336 by means of which it is secured to the top wall 334 by rivets 33T, welding, or other convenient fastening means.

Ille lower edges of the side walls 332, 333 extend to the front face of the wooden members 324, to the side of which they are attached by screw bolts 338. At the front of the refrigerant 34o by screw bons ksecured to the channelled members, which have their yokes serving as facing flanges.

The side walls are securedto channels 339, 34| passing through the side walls and threaded into apertures in the channelled flanges. Thus the channels form end closures for the installation spaces between the side walls. The rear Wall` 335 of the outer shell preferably has an inwardly turned flange 342, 343 at each side.

These flanges are attached to the side walls 332, 333 by welding, or other convenient fastening means. The rear wall 335 also has an inwardly turned flange 344 at the top and another Wider inwardly turned flange 345 atthe bottom.

The flange 344 serves to secure the rear wall 335to the top wall 334 (Fig. 9). The flange 345 is secured by wood screws to a wooden insulation member 346. Here again the flange 345 is short of contact with the inner shell.

It will be noted that there is metallic contact between the inner shell and outer shell at the channels 339 and 34t|. y The same is true between the upper wall 3|9 of he inner shell and the upper wall 33 4 of the outer shell through the channel 341.

In some embodiments of the invention these channels 339, 340, and 341 may be Vreplaced by lumber members like those at 346 and 324 to eliminate all metal-to-metal contact between the inner and outer shells.

In the embodiment illustrated, this metal-tometal contact at the front of the inner shell serves to increase slightly the area of absorption of heat from the refrigerant chamber.

This chamber is preferably provided with a door 348 (Fig. 8), which is also insulated. The door preferably comprises a frame made of Z bars, such as the upper and the lower Z bars 349, 350 (Fig. 9), and the side Z bars 35|, 352 (Fig. 8). These Z bars have their inwardly turned flanges 353 covered by means of an inner plate 354, which is secured by screw bolts passing through the plate and threaded into the flange 353.

' The Z bars have their outwardly extending flanges 355 covered by an outer plate 356 (Fig. 9), which may be welded to the flange 355. A relatively long standard hinge 351 is secured by welding to the plate 356, and has its opposite plate properly spaced from the outer wall by a metal bar 358, which is welded tol the channel 340 and to the hinge. The size of the frame, comprising the Z bars 349-352, is preferablygsuch that there is adequate clearance between the door` and the inner shell 3|6 to permit the door to move pivotally without making a tapered door. As the refrigerant chamber is not wholly insulated, it is not necessary to insulate the door entirely from the inner shell.

The effect of the lack is merely to provide area for the refrigerant chamber. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the door to be provided with an air-tight gasket, as the gas from the carbon dioxide solid can be permitted to escape through the crack between the door and the chamber.

The door preferably has a very limited area of contact with the channels at the front of the chamber, as otherwise it would not be worth while to insulate the door. The space between the inner and outer shells of the door is preferably of insulation of the door a greater heat absorption filled with a block of rigid insulation,` such as cork, which fits in this space, and which is provided with substantially rectangular plane sides.

In the same way the space between all of the walls of the inner shell and the walls of the outer shell, except the bottom wall 328, is also illled with blocks of the same insulation, of the same shape and of a size to fill all the space.

At its edge opposite to the hinge 351, the door 348 is preferably provided with a suitable form of latch, comprising a keeper 359, a pivoted cam and latch 360, which is pivotallymounted on a supporting bracket 36| carried by the door.

As previously stated, the refrigerant chamber 24| is lled with blocks of carbon dioxide, commercially known as dry ice." This refrigerant is adapted to sublime, and the sublimation effects a reduction of the temperature in the refrigerant y chamber 24| by virtue of the latent heat of fusion metal, the refrigerant will last for a relatively long period of time, thus maintaining the temperature in the interior of the refrigerator at a suillciently low degree to keep perishable articles for such a period of time that` they may be packed in the refrigerator, placed in a freight car, hauled to their destination, and removed intact and in' good condition from the refrigerator units.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail 'myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a portable refrigerator unit, the combination of a lower supporting frame comprising a plurality of inwardly facing channelled members welded together to form a rectangular frame, a sheet metal plate covering the top of said channelled members and forming a part of the outer shell of said unit, angular corner posts, each comprising a pair of main ilanges at right angles to each other, and each main flange supporting an attaching flange extending at right angles to the main flange by which it is supported, sheet metal side plates secured to said attaching'flanges and forming the outer shell of said unit, a plurality of angle bars having their ends welded together to form a rectangular top frame, said top frame being welded to the upper ends of said angular corner posts, a sheet metal covering plate welded to said top frame member and extending over and down the back of said unit and secured to the corner posts at the back of said unit, and Z-shaped metal members having a body flange and oppositely directed end flanges at right angles to the body flange extending between said lower frame member and said upper frame member and located between said corner posts, and blocks of semi-solid heat insulating material of substantially the same thickness as the body flange of said Z members and located between said Z members and said corner posts, and a second layer of said heat insulating blocks, having broken joints with respect to the rst layer and engaging one of the oppositely directed flanges of each Z bar.

2. In a portable refrigerator unit, the combination of a lower supporting frame comprising a plurality of inwardly facing channelled members welded together to form a rectangular frame, a sheet metal plate covering the top of said channelled members and forming a part of the outer shell of said unit, angular corner posts, each comprising a pair of main flanges at right angles to each other, and ,each main flange supporting an attaching Vflange extending at right angles to the main flange by which it is supported, sheet metal side platessecured to said attaching flanges and forming the outer shell of said unit, a plurality of angle bars having their ends welded together to form a rectangular top frame, said top frame being welded to the upper ends of said f angular corner posts, a sheet metal covering plate welded to said top frame member and extending over and down the back of said unit and secured to the corner posts at the back of said unit, and Z-shaped metal members having a body flange and oppositely directed end flanges at right angles to the body ilange extending between said lower frame member and said upper frame member and located between said corner posts, and blocks of semi-solid heatinsulating material of substantially the same thickness as the body flange of said Z members and located between said Z members and said corner posts, and a second layer of said heat insulating blocks, having kbroken joints with respect to the first layer and engaging one of the oppositely directed flanges of each Z bar, and an inner metallic shell for said unit comprising a bottom pan formed with an upwardly extending border flange, side, and

top plate welded to said side and back plates.

CHARLES S. J OHNSTON.l 

